Linotype-machine.



PATENTED APR. 28, 1903.

P. T. DODGE.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAIL 81 1903.

F0 MODEL.

UNTTETT STaTiss PATIENT Trice.

PHILIP T. DODGE, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MACHINE.

:BEEUIFICATIUN forming part of Letters Patent No. 726,412, dated April 28, 1903..

Application filed January 8, 1903.

T at 1071,0111 it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PHILIP T. DODGE, of New York city, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Machines, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference more particularly to the Mergenthaler linotype-machine, wherein the individual matrices descending from the magazine are delivered successively in a downward and forward direction into the top of a channeled assembler, into which they are crowded horizontally and assembled in line by means of arotary star-shaped wheel, which, pushing the line ahead, leaves an opening for the admission of each matrix.

In practice it is found that if the machine is not carefully adjusted the matrices descending rapidly to the line will sometimes strike at their lower ends with great force on the bottom of the assembler, the result being to batter and mutilate their lower ends in such manner as to interfere with their proper alinement in front of the mold.

The object of my invention is to overcome this difficulty; and to this end it consists in the employment of a spring-s11 pported buffer or cushion beneath the star-wheel at the entrance to the assembler in such position that go the descending matrices will strike thereon and have their momentum checked before they settle to their places in the assembler and of such character that it will not cause .the matrices to rebound or rise from their proper positions.

In the drawings I have represented the device in the preferred form specially adapted for application to the Mergenthaler machine.

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the ac star-wheel and adjacent parts for delivering :the matrices to the assembler with my improvement applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a lon- ,gitudinal vertical section through the foregoing parts with the assembler in operative relation thereto. Fig. 3 isaperspective view vof the buffer.

,Referring to the drawings, A represents an .endless belt whereon the matrices descend in succession from the magazine as they are selected and released by the operator.

' 13 represents the guide-rails whereon the $erial No. 138,277. (No model.)

matrices descend from the belt to the: receiving end of the channeled assembler C in front of the vertical star-wheel D, by which they are pushed forward into the assembler, in which they are retained by the usual dogs and catches. The star-wheel pushes the entire line forward, leaving space between it and the last matrix for the admission of the next one.

G represents my spring-supported buffer. In the form shown it consists of a fiat spring g, having its rear end secured to the under side of the frame by a screw g and having attached to its forward end an uprising block g of metal, hard rubber, vulcanized fiber, rawhide, or other suitable materiall. This buffer stands below and slightly forward of the star-wheel, with its upper surface slightly above the level of the matrixsupporting shoulders in the assembler. It is adapted to yield in a downward direction, subject to the resistance of the spring. Each matrix de scending to the line strikes upon the buffer, which serves to check or diminish its velocity and momentum. At or about the same instant the star-Wheel pushes the matrix for.- ward and downward off from the buffer and to the usual position in the assembler.

An important feature of the invention lies in the employment of the long spring to support the buffer. The period of vibration of the spring and the speed of its reaction are determined, of course, by its length. It is necessary in practice that the bufier should be adapted to arrest or retard falling matrices which differ greatly in weight and in their force of impact. It is equally important that the buffer shall not react too quickly or too violently, as the effect would be to throw the vantage lies principally in the fact that it secures a soft or yielding resistance to the downcoming matrices for an appreciable period of time and without causing them to rebound. It has also the advantage that it overcomes the mutilation of the lower ends of the matrices, which resulted in some cases from their impact on the stop shown in the patent referred to.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a linotype-machine, and in combination with an assembling mechanism, a buifer in position to receive the impact of the matrices as they approach the end of the composed line, and a spring-arm supporting said buffer, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a linotype-machine and in combination with the assembler, the star-wheel and means for delivering matrices thereto, a vertically-yielding buffer located below and in front of the star-wheel, and a buffer-supporting spring of a length adapted to avoid objectionable rebound of the matrices.

3. In a linotype-machine, in combination with the assembler and means for delivering matrices successively thereto, an elongated spring fixed at one end and having at the free end a surface adapted to resist the descending matrices.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 31st day of December, 1903, in the presence of two attesting Witnesses.

PHILIP T. DODGE.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. GEORGE, M. A. DRIFFILL. 

